Systems and methods for a personal, universal, integrated organizer for legacy planning and storage

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a system and method for assisting individuals in putting their affairs in order using a universal integrated organizer with personal legacy planning and personal on-line storage. The system includes a secure Web site that allow a user to assemble and submit documents, records, lists of information, etc., that form part of a comprehensive estate plan and also documents of a personal nature. Certain documents and information such as medical records, tax returns, etc., can also be submitted by other individuals. The system organizes the information and documents in a set of folders such as a Personal Folder, Medical Folder, Legal Folder, and Financial Folder. The system encrypts the information before transmission to the Web site. The information is stored securely and can subsequently be accessed and changed only by the user. Upon the death or incapacitation of the user or other designated condition , the stored information can be accessed by authorized representatives such as a trusted individual through financial institutions such as a bank or insurance company. In certain embodiments of the invention public key cryptography is used for security purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/236,943, filed Sep. 29, 2000, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is a widely recognized fact that most individuals find ituncomfortable to contemplate the thought of death. In addition, keepingtrack of one's personal financial affairs becomes increasinglycomplicated as one ages and accumulates assets. These factors frequentlytranslate into an individual's failure to make appropriate and timelyplans for the disposition of his or her estate. Although most people areaware of the importance of having a will, more than 70% of adultAmericans are currently intestate (lacking a will). In addition, manyindividuals are unaware of the other types of documents that constitutean important part of a good estate plan or what constitutes estateplanning. Estate planning is a two-part process. One part involvesplanning for the management and disposition of one's property duringone's lifetime and after one's death. The second part is planning forone's own personal and health care in the event one becomesincapacitated. With the aging of America, the magnitude of this problemis likely to increase in the coming years. With the mapping of the humangenome, one's DNA and one's medical history have become important evencritical information to pass on to one's progeny.

[0003] When an individual dies, one of the most difficult tasks for theexecutor or next of kin is locating assets, relevant documents andimportant records, etc. These items are frequently dispersed in avariety of locations. Such locations may range from secure storage suchas a safety deposit box in a bank or a “strongbox” with a key (which mayitself be hard to find) to locations that may be substantially lesssecure, e.g., paper-based file systems, envelopes, or computer disks. Inmany of these instances the documents themselves may be vulnerable.Paper files can be lost or destroyed. Keys can be misplaced or stolen.Computer software may become obsolete and no longer available.

[0004] Estate planning with frequent reviews has heretofore beenconsidered the province of the very rich. However, regardless of themagnitude of the estate, every good estate plan requires frequent reviewas children are born, people are married or divorced, parents or spousesdie, assets are inherited or otherwise acquired, laws change, namedexecutors, beneficiaries, or trustees die, retire, or move, etc. Inaddition, there are changes in circumstances or wishes that should bereflected in the estate plan documents. Few individuals have thediscipline, knowledge, and organizational skills required to maintaintheir estate plan documents in an appropriate manner at all times.

[0005] Failure to plan effectively for one's estate can have a varietyof undesirable consequences. If one becomes incapacitated, it can bevery difficult for one's family to pay one's bills, to cash one'schecks, to operate one's business or to locate and provide theappropriate medical and nursing care. If one dies with an out-of-datewill, costly and time-consuming delays can result when it is notpossible to locate legal documents, the designated administrators orlegatees, or financial records. If one has remarried, the second spousemay fail to leave any money to the children of the first marriagewithout proper planning. Without an up-to-date health care proxy, one'sdeath may be painful and prolonged with suffering. With appreciatedstock and housing, many millions of people have taxable estates anddon't know they could plan to reduce taxes. Furthermore, the burden oflocating, identifying, and sorting through documents frequently falls onone or two grieving relatives at a time when they are least equipped tocope with it. The adult children of elderly parents are frequentlyreluctant to ask their parents for the detailed information necessary tostreamline this process and to insure that their parents will beproperly taken care of if either or both becomes incapacitated or thattheir assets can be found and distributed to the people to whom theparents want them to be given.

[0006] Thus there exists a need for a system that would allow a user toorganize his or her personal financial, legal, and medical informationin a fashion that will allow a lawyer, accountant or financial advisorto review it quickly so that proper professional advice can be given.One of the most difficult problems a professional advisor faces isobtaining the client's data and information, the foundation of allplanning. When a professional must organize slips of paper, reports,documents, returns, certificates, etc., it is certain that theprofessional fees are significantly higher. Once organized, and afterprofessional advice is given, there exists the need to be able to easilyreview the basic information, the foundation of the professional plans,so that one can quickly determine whether revisions are necessary. Thereis also a need for a means of increasing the likelihood that the estateplan decided upon is followed through, by completing the necessary tasksof changing account names and designating beneficiaries for allinsurance policies and retirement plans.

[0007] Thus, there exists a need for a system that would allow a user toorganize information and to store and find documents related to personallegacy planning in a comprehensive, permanent, secure, yet readilyaccessible manner. Furthermore, there exists a need for a system thatwould assist the user in selecting appropriate documents and assist theuser in maintaining the documents in a state that accurately reflectsthe user's circumstances and also changing conditions such as changes intax laws or family circumstances. In addition, there exists a need for apersonal legacy planning system that would allow a user to designate atrusted entity such as an individual or institution that can access thedocuments in the event of the user's death.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by providingmethods and systems for assisting a user with personal legacy planningand organization of personal information. In certain preferredembodiments of the invention, the system serves as a universal personalintegrated organizer. In certain embodiments of the invention the systemand methods allow the aggregation of personal information from a diversearray of sources, e.g., they allow professionals such as a user'sphysician, accountant, etc., to contribute information that can beincorporated into the organizer. The invention organizes and integratesall the user's important information, records and documents—legal,financial, medical, and personal—in an individual database which isstored in a private, secure fashion. The individual's data storage spacemay be referred to herein as an e-vault.

[0009] In one aspect the invention is a system (e.g., a method,apparatus, and/or computer-executable process steps) that: (1) transmitsa series of requests to a user over a computer network, the requestscomprising requests for informational items appropriate for inclusion ina personal legacy plan; (2) receives, over the computer network,informational items appropriate for inclusion in a personal legacy planfrom the user; and (3) stores the informational items on a secureserver, wherein access to the informational items is restricted to theuser by whom they were submitted. The informational items can includedocuments such as a will, trust, etc., related to estate planning.However, as described further below, a wide variety of informationalitems can be included. In certain embodiments of the invention thesystem need not transmit requests. The system may provide a list ofsuggested items to include, or the user may have complete freedom toinclude any desired items. In certain embodiments of the invention, theinventive system creates standardized templates for user-organizedinformation, which information may include any items submitted by theuser (or, under certain circumstances, information submitted by others).In certain embodiments of the invention the informational items areencrypted prior to transmission. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention the user designates one or more trusted individuals who aregranted access to the informational items upon the occurrence of acondition predetermined by the user, e.g., the death or incapacitationof the user.

[0010] In another aspect, the system provides a Web site that assists auser in the entry of personal information and the organization andstorage of personal documents. The Web site comprises a set of Web pagesthat request informational items from a user and/or allows the user tosubmit informational items, the informational items including itemsappropriate for inclusion in a personal legacy plan. The items arestored securely on a computer-readable medium. Access to theinformational items is restricted to the user and to one or more trustedindividuals who are granted access upon the occurrence of a conditionpredetermined by the user. In certain embodiments of the invention, theWeb site allows individuals and, optionally, their advisors, tounderstand the nature of specific life event changes from birth todeath. For people in transition, the Web site helps them manage thosedifficult times with maps, guides, checklists, selected resources andlinks to appropriate Web sites (e.g., those determined to contain themost reliable information). For advisors, the invention offers a newapproach to building trusted financial relationships.

[0011] Although the invention may be implemented as a stand-alone Website and service, in preferred embodiments of the invention the serviceis provided through and/or in conjunction with a partner or sponsor suchas an existing institution or service, e.g., a financial planner,investment advisor, law firm, insurance company, accountant, health careprovider, financial portal, etc. In such embodiments the service may beaccessed through a Web site provided by the partner. In certainembodiments of the invention the institution or service acts as atrusted entity which, though not itself having access to the user'spersonal storage space, is authorized to provide access to a trustedindividual designated by the user and has means to do so. For sponsors(e.g., financial institutions), providing a context within whichcustomers can manage their life transitions makes it likely they willbenefit from the financial changes that result.

[0012] In addition to receiving, storing, and organizing information anddocuments from the user, certain embodiments of the invention allow forthe receiving and storing of information and documents from otherindividuals such as a user's physician, accountant, lawyer, advisor,etc. In certain embodiments of the invention the system provides eachuser with a secure electronic mailbox to which documents and informationcan be sent. However, only the user can decide to include and store suchinformation and/or documents in the user's secured storage space.

[0013] In certain embodiments of the invention the informational itemsand documents are organized as a set of folders, and informational itemsand documents submitted from diverse sources are automaticallyintegrated across folders, so that information submitted from aparticular source or in a particular document is available forappropriate inclusion in any of the folders. Of course a variety ofother organizational approaches are also within the scope of theinvention.

[0014] In certain embodiments of the invention some or all of theinformational items and documents (both those submitted directly by theuser and those submitted by others to the user's electronic mailbox) aresubmitted securely, e.g., in encrypted format. The system preferablyprovides a secure storage space, also referred to herein as a vault, tostore some or all of the informational items. The storage spacecomprises a computer-readable medium. In addition, the system includesmeans for providing secure access to the stored items to the user, e.g.,for review and update. In certain embodiments of the invention an RSAsecure ID token (which may be embossed with the sponsor's name and whichmay be conveniently stored on a key chain) not only provides two-factorauthentication, but also serves as the user's tangible key providingassurance of privacy and confidentiality. Authentication and accessservers allow access to designated people on designated conditions suchas death or incapacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a networked computer system suitable for use with thepresent invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an interaction between a user andthe Web site of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 shows an example of the overall architecture of a user'spersonal legacy planning and storage space (referred to as an e-vault)in one embodiment of the invention. The figure also represents aschematic screen display that offers a user entry points into variousfolders in one embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 shows an example of a schematic screen display that offersa user entry points to information and documents stored in a personalfolder.

[0019]FIG. 5 shows an example of a schematic screen display that offersa user entry points to information and documents stored in a medicalfolder.

[0020]FIG. 6 shows an example of a schematic screen display that offersa user entry points to information and documents stored in a legal,taxes, and insurance folder.

[0021]FIG. 7 shows an example of a schematic screen display that offersa user entry points to information and documents stored in a financialfolder.

[0022]FIG. 8 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) that guidesa user through the establishment of a personal legacy database, i.e., anelectronic vault.

[0023]FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) thatprovides a full view of items that may be found in a user's personalfolder and guides a user through the submission of such items.

[0024]FIG. 10 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) thatprovides a full view of items that may be found in a user's legal folderand guides the user through submission of such items.

[0025]FIG. 11 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) that helpsa user cope with the transitions associated with a life event (death ofa spouse).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] I. Overview

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a representative embodiment of a networked computersystem 10 that may be used to implement the present invention. A serversystem 12 is logically connected, through a network such as Internet 14,to one or more client computer systems 16. Client computer system 16 cancomprise any available computer but is typically a personal computer(e.g., a desktop, laptop, or notebook computer) equipped with aprocessor, memory, display, keyboard, mouse or other pointing device,storage devices, and appropriate interfaces for these components. Clientcomputer systems 16 can optionally include peripheral devices such asprinters and scanners (not shown). A client computer system 16 can alsobe a personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone equipped withequipped with appropriate networking capability, etc. Server system 12can comprise one or more servers, optionally equipped with peripheralstorage devices 18. Although only a single server is depicted, it is tobe understood that multiple servers may be used in the implementation ofthe invention. Although, in general, the present invention can beimplemented using any networked computer system, in the preferredembodiment described herein the invention is implemented using serverand client computer systems that are connected to the Internet and areequipped, respectively, with server software and Web browser software.These elements are described in further detail below.

[0028] The invention assists a user in the development of a personallegacy plan that is stored on a computer-readable medium located at asecure central site removed from the user's own location. The inventionincludes computer software (i.e., computer-executable process stepsstored on a computer-readable medium) that assist the user in thedevelopment of the plan, store information (preferably includingdocuments) that form components of the plan, and provide access on aselective basis to the components of the plan. The invention thusprovides a personal legacy and personal information organizer andstorage space for a user. As used herein, the term “user” refers to anindividual who utilizes the inventive system to develop a personallegacy plan. The term “personal legacy plan” is used broadly herein. Apersonal legacy plan may encompass documents and information that aretraditional components of an estate plan but may also encompass a rangeof other documents and information that are not traditionally found inan estate plan. A personal legacy plan, as used herein, can include bothinformational fact-based data and also personal “items” that reflect anindividual's personal, subjective experience. The informational,fact-based data may, for example, be stored in legal, medical,financial, and personal folders as further described below. The personalitems may be described as the distillation of the important events andthings in a person's life, e.g., events and things that one wants topreserve for one's children and for future generations. The personalitems can include anything that can be digitized, e.g., journals,photos, videos, ethical will, letters, etc.

[0029] The storage space may include items of information stored in adatabase as well as documents uploaded by the user. The storage spaceneed not be a single contiguous area of computer-readable medium but mayinclude storage areas distributed throughout various storage devices(e.g., hard disks, etc.). However, in general, all items of informationand/or documents submitted by a particular user are identifiable asoriginating from and pertaining to that user and are accessible only bythat user and by a trusted representatives designated by that user uponthe occurrence of a condition predetermined by the user (e.g., theuser's death or incapacitation). As discussed further below, upon theoccurrence of such a condition in preferred embodiments of the inventiona trusted entity such as a financial institution provides such access,e.g., by releasing a second key (private key) to the storage space.

[0030] Turning again to FIG. 1, according to the invention, a user(i.e., an individual who wishes to use the invention to develop apersonal legacy plan) accesses a Web site. Through interaction with theWeb site, e.g., the transmission of Web pages 18 containing instructionsand specific requests for appropriate information from the Web server tothe user; entry of requested information into the Web pages by the user;submission of Web pages from the user's computer to the Web server;processing and storage of the submitted information by the Web server,etc., a personal legacy plan is developed. The invention may store theinformation in a personal legacy and personal information database 20.The information can be submitted by entering data into a Web form or byuploading documents.

[0031] The inventive system preferably organizes the information intovarious categories as described below so that the user and/or anindividual such as an executor who accesses the information after thedeath of the user can readily locate any particular informational item.The user can change, augment, or update the personal legacy plan at anytime simply by accessing the Web site, entering identifying information,and accessing the stored information. The inventive system offers theuser options to change, augment, or update the information. Thus thepresent invention offers the advantage that personal legacy informationcan be accessed and changed at any time and from virtually any locationfrom which the user can access the World Wide Web. In certainembodiments the invention also notifies the user upon the occurrence ofevents that may warrant updating of the personal legacy plan.

[0032] While the invention could be used as a tool to guide the user inthe development of a personal legacy plan that would be stored in atraditional format (e.g., as paper documents in a safe deposit box orlocked file cabinet), in preferred embodiments the invention providesadditional capabilities. The secure storage space can be accessed by theuser at any time from any computer equipped with an Internet connectionand Web browser, functioning as an on-line safety deposit box. Inaddition, in preferred embodiments of the invention the system allowsthe user to select a trusted individual or individuals who can accessthe stored information upon a condition or condition(s) predetermined bythe user, e.g., upon the death or incapacity of the user. For example,the user may select a trusted entity (e.g., a law firm, bank, financialintermediary, etc.) that provides access to the trusted individual(s)upon the occurrence of a condition predetermined by the user, such asthe death or incapacitation of the user. The role of the trusted entityincludes maintaining the user's list of designated representatives andthe conditions under which access to the user's information anddocuments can be obtained. The trusted entity does not itself haveaccess to the user's personal storage space but is empowered to grantaccess to the trusted individual, preferably after verifying both theoccurrence of the predetermined condition and the identity of thetrusted individual.

[0033] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention some of thedocuments and/or information such as medical records, financial records,tax returns, etc., may be provided by another party, herein referred toas a “contributor”. Such a party may be, for example, a professionalsuch as a physician, accountant, etc. (or an employee of such aprofessional). In preferred embodiments of the invention, the systemprovides each user with an electronic mailbox to which contributors cansend documents and/or information. However, only the user can move theinformation and/or documents into the user's storage space.

[0034] The following sections provide further description of importantfeatures of the invention. Since the preferred embodiment of theinvention involves an implementation based on the Internet and the WorldWide Web, these will be discussed first with reference to their use inconjunction with the invention. A server system typical of the inventionin a preferred embodiment is discussed. The process by which a new userinitially interacts with the Web site and the manner in which theinvention assists the user in developing his or her personal legacy planare described next, followed by a description of the process by which areturning user interacts with the system. The invention encompasses avariety of approaches by which information may be transmitted to the Website, and these are detailed below. In addition, a user database that isa feature of preferred embodiments of the invention is presented.Embodiments of the invention in which a trusted entity can access theinformation as well as embodiments of the invention in which varioustypes of feedback are provided to the user are described. Finally,security mechanisms that are an important feature of the invention aredescribed. Unless otherwise specified, all patents, publications,references, etc., mentioned in this document are herein incorporated byreference. Unless defined otherwise herein, all technical terms are tobe given their common meaning in the art, e.g., as defined in theMicrosoft Computer Dictionary, 4^(th) Edition, Microsoft Press, Redmond,1998, which is herein incorporated by reference.

[0035] II. Internet and World Wide Web

[0036] The Internet includes a large number of computers, computingdevices such as PDAs, and computer networks that are connected throughvarious communication links, over which they exchange information usingsuch services as e-mail and the World Wide Web. The World Wide Weballows a server computer system (Web server or Web site) to transmitdocuments (i.e., Web pages) containing information to a remote clientcomputer system, which can then display the Web pages. Both the serverand client computers are provided with software to support World WideWeb interactions. Server systems run a Web server application program,i.e., a Web server engine. Client computers run a Web browser, i.e., anapplication program that facilitates the requesting and displaying ofWorld Wide Web pages. Internet-linked computers and Web pages areuniquely identified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and/or IP(Internet Protocol) addresses. To display a Web page, a client computerissues a request including the URL for that Web page. The request istypically a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request. HTTP is aprotocol (i.e., a formal set of conventions governing the formatting andrelative timing of message exchange between two communicating systems)that is used for World Wide Web communication. The request is sent overthe Internet to the Web server that maintains the Web page. Upon receiptof the request, the server sends the requested Web page to the clientcomputer for display by the client's browser.

[0037] Web pages are generally written in a programming language calledHypertext Markup Language (HTML), which consists in large part of a setof tags that define the manner in which the material contained betweenmatching pairs of tags is to be formatted and displayed on the screen.HTML provides for the display of text, graphics, images, etc. Inessence, when a client computer sends a request specifying a particularURL, the server sends back an HTML file containing the code that definesthe Web page. This HTML code is interpreted by the client's browser anddisplayed on the screen. A key feature of HTML and of the World Wide Webis that individual Web pages can be connected through elements known aslinks. When a user clicks on a link, which is typically represented byan image or highlighted word on the displayed Web page, the browserissues a request for a Web page specified in the link. The linked Webpage is displayed on the client's screen. Thus links enable a user toconveniently navigate around the World Wide Web, moving from page topage within a Web site or from one Web site to another.

[0038] Originally HTML was generally limited to the display of staticcontent on Web pages requested by the client. However, extensions to thelanguage and the inclusion of programs (known as scripts) that can berun on either the client or the server side allow Web pages to behave inan interactive fashion, i.e., they provide the capability for responseto user input. Form-based ordering systems (e.g., the on-line orderingsystem described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,411, “A Method and System forPlacing a Purchase Order Via a Communications Network”, depend on thisinteractivity. In such systems, HTML elements such as check boxes,buttons, drop-down menus, etc., boxes, etc. allow users to indicateselections from a set of options presented on a Web page or enter textinto designated fields. Web pages designed to accept user inputtypically contain a button (often referred to as a “submit” button) thatthe user clicks after entering data. Following submission, the data canbe processed by a script.

[0039] Scripts can execute a variety of actions in response to userinput including, for example, the return of user-specified dataretrieved from databases accessed by the server or the storage ofuser-provided information into server-side databases. Scripts can bewritten in a variety of languages (e.g., JavaScript™, CGI/Perl).Microsoft's® Active Server Pages is an application environment thatfacilitates the combining of HTML, scripts, and other components toallow creation of dynamic (non-static) Web pages. Methods for creatingand processing Web-based forms, including the use of scripts, are wellknown in the art, and specific implementation may be performed using anyof a variety of approaches. See for example, Lemay, L. and Tyler, D.,Sams Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML 4 in 21 Days, ProfessionalReference Edition, Second Edition, Macmillan, Inc., Indianapolis, 1999.

[0040] As mentioned above, HTML is a markup language. HTML is actually asubset of SGML (standardized general markup language). Other subsets ofSGML such as XML (extensible markup language) are coming intoincreasingly wide use for writing Web pages. Although in preferredembodiments of the invention Web pages are written using HTML, theinvention also encompasses the use of Web pages authored in differentmarkup languages including those that currently exist and those that maybe developed in the future.

[0041] III. Personal Legacy Planning Server

[0042] The personal legacy planning system of the present inventionincludes a server that acts as a central site for the reception andstorage of personal legacy information, among other activities. As usedherein, the term “server” is intended to include a single server,multiple servers, and accessory data storage devices accessible by suchserver(s). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the server is aWorld Wide Web server connected to the Internet and equipped with serversoftware, referred to herein as a server engine. For example, the servermay include a Web server running the Microsoft® Internet InformationServer (IIS) software under Microsoft's NT® operating system. However,the server can employ any of a number of technologies commonly used inWeb server development, for example Apache HTTP Server software runningunder the Unix, Linux, or other operating systems. The server preferablycommunicates over the Internet with a plurality of remote computingdevices, including PCs, PDAs, etc., from which legacy planning and otherpersonal information may be entered and/or viewed. Note that the serverneed not be dedicated solely to functions associated with the presentinvention. For example, certain embodiments of the invention comprise aWeb site that may be provided through a Web hosting company, which mayhost multiple Web sites on it server(s).

[0043] IV. Interaction with Web site for a New User

[0044] This section describes an initial user interaction with the Website of the invention in one embodiment of the invention. It is to beunderstood that the details of the user interface will vary according tothe particular implementation, and therefore this description is forexemplary purposes and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, it isintended to describe the general areas of functionality of the inventivesystem. As described above, the user interactions typically take placevia the transmission of Web pages from the Web site to the user and thesubmission of Web pages (e.g., forms) from the user to the Web site. Ingeneral, a user who wishes to utilize the inventive personal legacyplanning service will access the Web site via a Web browser installed onhis or her personal computer, PDA, etc. The Web browser can comprise anyavailable Web browser, e.g., Netscape Navigator® or Microsoft InternetExplorer®, preferably a Web browser that supports SSL encryption.Throughout this document the invention is described with reference to apersonal legacy planning and storage space for a single user. However,it is to be understood that multiple individual users can each have hisor her individual personal legacy planning and storage space. Inaddition, in certain embodiments of the invention two or perhaps evenmore individuals can share part or all of a single personal legacyplanning and storage space. This is particularly likely in the case, forexample, of a husband and wife, since many possessions may be jointlyowned, many documents may list both individuals, etc. Other exampleswould be an adult child helping to organize affairs for an elderlyparent or relative.

[0045]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an initial interaction between auser and the inventive system in one embodiment of the invention, fromthe point of view of the system. To begin, in step 200 a user accessesthe Web site. In step 205 the Web site presents a welcome screen orscreens that may provide introductory information about the service andmay allow a user to indicate that he or she is a new user. In step 210the Web site requests the user to select a userID and password, e.g., bytyping into fields of a form. In step 215 the Web site receives anencrypted userID and password. (As described below, informationsubmitted by the user is preferably encrypted prior to transmission.)While a userID and password represent one potential security measure,the invention also encompasses the use of other measures such as apersonal identification number (PIN), “smart card”, biometric token, orthe like. Other means of identification and authentication include theuse of “smart cards” or biometric samples, both of which are well knownin the art. Methods for making smart cards are described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,955,021 and references therein. A typical method for using smartcards is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,273, and biometric samples(also known as biometric token) are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,870,723.

[0046] During the next phase of operation, in step 220 the Web siterequests the user to enter items of information that constituteessential or desirable elements of a personal legacy plan. At decisionpoint 225, if the user wishes to continue the user submits requestedpersonal legacy plan informational items. If the user does not wish tocontinue, then in step 265 the user exits from the Web site. If, on theother hand, the user wishes to proceed with information entry, then insteps 230 the user submits requested informational which is transmittedto the Web server and stored in step 235. The information can be storedeither on a secure server or securely on a peripheral storage deviceassociated therewith. Preferably the information is stored in encryptedform. In step 240 the system determines whether a complete inventory ofpersonal legacy planning information (described below) has beensubmitted. If so, then in step 245 the system notifies the user that thepersonal legacy plan is complete. If not, then processing returns tostep 220, in which the system requests additional information from theuser. In general, steps 220 through 240 are repeated sequentially untilthe user has entered all requested information or wishes to discontinueentering information. As the user enters information, the systempreferably presents the user with a checklist of information entered andprovides the user with indications of his or her progress towardscompleting the inventory. The system allows the user to enter relevantinformation either directly or through the uploading of documentspreviously stored in digital format, e.g., on the user's computer.Following entry of information at decision point 250 the user can chooseto review or change the information. If the user does not wish to reviewor change the information then in step 265 the user exits from the Website. If the user does wish to review or change the information then instep 255 the user is presented with review/change options that allow theuser to view information and/or documents previously submitted to theWeb site and to change, delete, or replace any of the information. Instep 260, the system processes any user changes. Of course variations onthe above sequence are within the scope of the invention, and the abovedescription has been for illustrative purposes only, to describe theoverall operation of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting.In general, the user can freely navigate between various pages of theWeb site. In preferred embodiments of the invention the user may reviewor change previously entered information at any time.

[0047] Relevant information for a personal legacy plan falls into anumber of categories. In general, the user is first prompted to enterbasic personal information such as that outlined below.

[0048] A. Basic Personal Information

[0049] (1) Personal data: full name, home address, telephone number(s),social security number, birth date, and e-mail address.

[0050] (2) Relatives and other important individuals:

[0051] (i) Spouse: full name, social security number, birth date, e-mailaddress, date of marriage, any special needs, other information such astelephone number(s), home address, etc., if different from above

[0052] (ii) Children: full names, social security numbers, birth dates,college accounts, Uniform Gifts to Minors (UGMA) accounts, any specialneeds, other information such as telephone number(s), home address,etc., if different from above

[0053] (iii) Other dependents: e.g., parents, other relatives

[0054] (3) Key professionals

[0055] (i) Physician: name, telephone number(s), address

[0056] (ii) Attorney: name, telephone number(s), address

[0057] (iii) Accountant/financial advisor: name, telephone number(s),address

[0058] (iv) Named executor/next of kin: name, telephone number(s),address

[0059] (4) Individual/Institution Authorized to Access Records: name,telephone number, address, circumstances under which access authorized

[0060] (5) Funeral Information

[0061] Funeral/final disposition wishes

[0062] Prepaid funeral arrangement: with whom, location of contract

[0063] Burial plot: location

[0064] Individuals to contact

[0065] A major goal of the invention is to provide a flexible anduser-friendly method for assembling information for personal legacyplanning. To this end, the above information may be solicited through aseries of forms that ask certain basic questions before proceeding tomore specific questions. For example, a form may simply ask the userwhether he/she has children. If this question is answered in thenegative, then information about names, birth dates, etc., of childrenwill not be requested. If the question is answered in the affirmative,relevant information will be requested. Certain items of information(e.g., telephone numbers) will fit into fields of a predetermined sizewhile others (e.g., special needs of children) will require entry ofsubstantially larger amounts of free text. The invention preferablyaccommodates entry of informational items of varying lengths.Information submitted by the user may be entered into appropriate fieldsof a user database, which is described in a subsequent section.

[0066] After entry of the basic personal information the system mayrequest information that falls into the various categories describedbelow.

[0067] B. Legal Records

[0068] (1) Attorneys: names, telephone numbers, addresses

[0069] (2) Documents:

[0070] Has user executed a will? Location.

[0071] Has user executed a durable power of attorney? Location.

[0072] Has user written a letter/instructions to executor? Location.

[0073] Does user have a nuptial agreement? Location.

[0074] Does user have business agreements, partnerships? Location.

[0075] (3) Titles: Does user possess titles to car, boat, etc.?Location.

[0076] (4) Real Estate:

[0077] Primary residence: address, location of title deed

[0078] Other real estate 1: address, location of title deed

[0079] Other real estate 2: address, location of title deed

[0080] Etc.

[0081] C. Financial Records

[0082] (1) Investment advisor/Broker/Financial planner: names,addresses, telephone numbers

[0083] (2) Assets

[0084] (i) Checking accounts: name of bank, account number, title toaccount

[0085] (ii) Savings accounts: name of bank, account number, title toaccount

[0086] (iii) Safe deposit boxes: name of bank, location of key

[0087] (iv) Securities (stocks and bonds): company/institution,number/amount, location

[0088] (v) S corporation stock: name of corporation, number/amount,location

[0089] (vi) Investment accounts: institution, title to account,password, location of records

[0090] (vii) IRA and Roth IRA accounts: institution, title to account,beneficiary for each, location of records

[0091] (viii) Retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k), profit sharing plans,pension plans): institution, title to account, beneficiary for each,location of records

[0092] (ix) Pension plan/Employer death benefits: institution, locationof records

[0093] (x) Annuities: institution, title to account, beneficiary foreach, location of records

[0094] (xi) Online accounts: URL, password

[0095] (xii) Copyrights/Patents: number, location of records

[0096] (xiii) Interests in trusts

[0097] (xiv) Expected inheritance: amount

[0098] (3) Liabilities

[0099] (i) Debt records

[0100] (ii) Active credit cards: institution, account number, PIN

[0101] (iii) Mortgages: lender, outstanding amount, location ofagreement document

[0102] (iv) Guarantees: with whom, outstanding amount, location ofagreement document

[0103] D. Tax Records

[0104] (1) Tax preparer/Accountant: names, addresses, telephone numbers

[0105] (2) Tax returns: Federal/state, years, location of records

[0106] (3) Gift tax returns: Location of records

[0107] (4) Estate tax returns of parent/spouse, etc.: Location ofrecords

[0108] E. Insurance Policies

[0109] (1) Life Insurance: company, policy number, face amount, locationof policy

[0110] (2) Medical Insurance: company, policy number, location of policy

[0111] (3) Mortgage or Loan Insurance: company, policy number, locationof policy

[0112] (4) Accident Insurance: company, policy number, location ofpolicy

[0113] (5) Auto Insurance: company, policy number, location of policy

[0114] (6) Credit Card Insurance: company, policy number, location ofpolicy

[0115] (7) Property Insurance: company, policy number, location ofpolicy

[0116] (8) Long Term Care Insurance: company, policy number, location ofpolicy

[0117] (9) Medicare Insurance: company, policy number, location ofpolicy

[0118] F. Health/Medical Records

[0119] (1) Physicians: names, addresses, phone numbers

[0120] (i) Primary care

[0121] (ii) Consulting

[0122] (iii) Dentist

[0123] (iv) Other

[0124] (2) Health Directives

[0125] (i) Durable power of attorney for health care: Location

[0126] (ii) Living will/Do not resuscitate instructions: Location

[0127] (iii) Physician directives: Location

[0128] (3) Documents

[0129] (i) Organ donor card: Location

[0130] (ii) Medical insurance: company, policy number, location ofpolicy

[0131] (iii) Long Term Care Insurance: company, policy number, locationof policy

[0132] G. Employment History

[0133] (1) Current employer: name, address, telephone number, humanresources department phone number

[0134] (2) Prior employers: name, address, telephone number, pensionplans/death benefits

[0135] H. Security

[0136] (1) Computer files: passwords, special instructions

[0137] (2) Security PIN numbers

[0138] (i) Bank

[0139] (ii) Credit cards

[0140] (iii) Combination lock numbers

[0141] (3) Keys: Location of keys to home, car, safe deposit box, files,others

[0142] (4) Confidential files: instructions regarding disposition ofdiaries, journals, etc.

[0143] I. Certificates and other records

[0144] (1) Birth: Location

[0145] (2) Marriage: Location

[0146] (3) Divorce: Location

[0147] (4) Adoption: Location

[0148] (5) Citizenship: Location

[0149] (6) Passport: Location

[0150] (7) Social security card: Location

[0151] (8) Military service and discharge records: Location

[0152] J. Personal Items

[0153] (1) Resume/CV: Location

[0154] (2) Memberships in union, professional organization, etc.:Organization, address, phone number, location of membershipcards/records

[0155] (3) Diplomas, honors, awards: Details, location

[0156] (4) Family tree/genogram: Location

[0157] (5) Oral history: Location of tapes, videos, etc.

[0158] (6) Other items for heirs

[0159] (i) Photos: Location

[0160] (ii) Location of heirlooms

[0161] A more extensive listing of the categories of relevantinformation and documents is found in Section XII.

[0162] Note that some of the requested information may duplicateinformation requested earlier in the information gathering process. Insuch a case the system automatically displays the previously enteredinformation and allows the user to augment it. For example, if the userentered an attorney name while entering Basic Personal Information, thenwhen the user progresses to the Legal Records section this attorney nameis automatically displayed and entered into the database so that theuser does not need to duplicate effort. However, the user may addadditional attorney names.

[0163] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention the user isoffered the opportunity to request additional information about variousitems and/or instructions about how to complete an item. For example,the user may wish to learn more about what constitutes a living will ormay wish to learn why a particular item of information is beingrequested. The system preferably provides Web pages containing suchinformation and may optionally offer links to other Web sites containingrelevant information.

[0164] In addition, in certain embodiments of the invention the user isoffered the opportunity to create a document such as a family tree or asummary health-at a glance card. Information required for such documentscan be gathered using the same form-based approach described above. Thecompleted document can be downloaded, printed, etc., just as for anyother document stored by the user (see discussion below). The inventionalso encompasses the use of digital signature technology for thesignature of electronic documents. Such technology may be particularlyuseful, for example, to validate instructions such as physiciandirectives.

[0165] Gathering the information detailed above may require aconsiderable amount of time. In addition, it is likely that a user mayneed to consult records, phone books, etc., to locate some of theinformation and may not have some of the requested documents readilyavailable. Thus in preferred embodiments of the invention the user canexit the Web site at any time. The system saves the data entered thusfar and, when the user next accesses the Web site, he or she cancontinue adding information at the point at which the previous sessionterminated.

[0166] As described further below, in certain embodiments of theinvention the service is offered through an institution, e.g., afinancial institution such as a bank or an accounting firm. In this casethe user may be provided with the option to designate that certain ofthe information, e.g., asset information, is to be added by theinstitution offering the service.

[0167]FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the way in which the inventivesystem organizes the provided information in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention thisorganizational outline is presented as a screen to a new or returninguser, in this case John or Mary Smith. The various labels on the figure(e.g., major labels such as personal, legal, financial, medical, and thelabels beneath these major labels) represent links (see descriptionabove of links). When the user “clicks” on the link the correspondinginformation or document, and/or forms in which the information can beentered or changed, is presented to the user.

[0168] As also indicated on FIG. 3, in certain embodiments of theinvention each user's personal storage space (e-vault) is associatedwith a public key, which can be used to encrypt incoming information,including documents sent to the user's electronic mailbox bycontributors. Thus information or scanned documents to be submitted toJohn and Mary Smith's e-vault or electronic mailbox will be encryptedusing their public key. In these embodiments each e-vault is alsoassociated with a private key, known only to the user, which can be usedto decrypt information and documents encrypted with the correspondingpublic key. Thus John and Mary Smith can use the private key to accessthe information and documents in the folders and storage. In addition,in the example presented in FIG. 3, John and Mary Smith have enteredinformation designating trusted individual(s) to whom the private key isto be provided upon the occurrence of certain conditions. The Smithshave also entered information indicating the particular conditions underwhich the private key is to be provided to the trusted individual(s).According to preferred embodiments of the invention, an entity such as afinancial intermediary maintains a list of these individuals and thedesignated condition(s) and provides the private key to the trustedindividual(s) upon occurrence of the condition(s). In addition, thescreen shown in FIG. 3 displays dates when the records were establishedand last revised.

[0169] FIGS. 4-7 present examples of screens that the user would seeupon clicking on the personal, legal, financial, or medical links onFIG. 3. Section XII presents the architecture of the various folders andtheir integration in one embodiment of the invention in greater detail.As indicated in Section XII, the folders preferably contain informationorganized in a hierarchical fashion, and the software includes thecapability to generate a variety of useful summaries based on theinformation contained in the folders. As indicated in Section XII,certain information is indexed across folders. For example, the PersonalRepresentatives and Advisors-Key Professionals sections under thePersonal Folder, also appear in the Medical Folder, Financial Folder,and Legal Folder (and subfolders thereof) in their appropriatepositions. Although these Figures and Section XII provide details ofspecific embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that anyparticular implementation of the invention need not contain all theitems indicated in the Figures or the elsewhere and may containadditional items.

[0170] As described above, the invention takes an active role ingathering information from the user in an effort to assist with thedevelopment of a comprehensive legacy plan. However, it is not arequirement that the invention actively solicit information from theuser. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, during the initial(and subsequent) interactions with the Web site the user may simply bepresented with a screen such as FIG. 3 and may select which of thecategories of information he or she wishes to enter at any particulartime.

[0171] V. Interaction with Web Site for a Returning User

[0172] As mentioned above, a user may require more than one session toenter his or her personal legacy information. Furthermore, once theinitial information is entered the user may wish to change, update, oraugment the information. After the initial interaction with the Website, during which the user enters identifying information such as auserID and password, the user can gain access to his or her personallegacy information by accessing the Web site and entering theappropriate identifying information when prompted to do so. In certainpreferred embodiments of the invention a “cookie” is stored in theuser's Web browser, thus allowing the Web site to recognize a returninguser. In such a case the user may not be required to enter a userID.However, in general, entry of a password will still be required giventhe importance of security to the invention.

[0173] In preferred embodiments of the invention the returning user ispresented with a personalized screen such as that shown in FIG. 3. Theuser can then click on any of the links to view the correspondinginformation and documents. In preferred embodiments of the invention thereturning user is presented with various options. Such options includeresuming the information entry process, viewing previously enteredinformation, changing previously entered information, and addingadditional information. In preferred embodiments of the invention theinformation is organized into a convenient and readily viewable format.As described above, the information falls into various categories, e.g.,medical records, legal records, financial records, etc. As shown inFIGS. 3-7, in preferred embodiments of the invention the information isorganized into folders corresponding to the various types ofinformation. In general, a wide variety of organizational and displayapproaches are within the scope of the invention. Organization isdiscussed further below.

[0174] VI. Transferring Information to the Web Site

[0175] Selection of the most appropriate means for transferringinformation to the Web site for storage depends, in general, upon thenature of the information and the extent to which the informationalready exists in the form of paper documents or documents stored on acomputer-readable medium. As described above, in preferred embodimentsof the invention, certain of the information is entered through a user'sinteraction with the system using a form-based approach. For example, inpreferred embodiments of the invention forms requesting the entry ofbasic information such as some or all of the personal information listedabove are filled out and submitted by the user during an initialinteraction with the system. The system allows the user to view, update,and/or change any of the information entered via a form.

[0176] While forms provide a convenient means by which a user can enterinformation, such information can also be provided using a variety ofalternative approaches. For example, a user may already have undertakena certain amount of estate planning activity and may have organized someof the information on paper. In general, documents such as wills,insurance policies, deeds, etc., already exist in a paper format.Traditional estate planning has involved the storage of such documentsin a safety deposit box or in a secure storage location such as a lockedfiling cabinet, safe, etc. The present invention encompasses the storageof such documents in digital format on a server computer associated withthe Web site or on a peripheral storage device. Such documents can bescanned into a user's computer using any commercially available scanningdevice and associated software. Once converted into digital format usingany available technique, not limited to those previously described, adocument can be uploaded, i.e., transmitted to the Web site of thepresent invention.

[0177] Documents can also be created using word processing software,image processing software, etc. A user may, for example, employ acomputer program that aids in preparation of tax returns (e.g., QuickenTurboTax®) and submit the electronic document created thereby directlyto the inventive Web site. To this end, the software of the invention ispreferably compatible with various commercially available softwareapplications such as Quicken.

[0178] As described further below, documents prepared by an independentparty such as an accountant, etc., can be sent to the user's personallegacy storage mailbox for the user to move into his or her personalstorage space if he or she so desires. Information such as medicalrecords, etc., can also be similarly submitted by independent partiessuch as hospitals. In preferred embodiments of the invention the systemnotifies the user (e.g., by e-mail) whenever an informational item ordocument has been submitted to his or her personal legacy storagemailbox. Thus the user can transfer the information or document to hisor her vault in a timely fashion.

[0179] Preferably all information is encrypted prior to transmission.With the increasing use of the Internet and the World Wide Web, it isanticipated that an increasing proportion of the documents relevant topersonal legacy planning will be created using Web-based software toolsand/or be available through the World Wide Web. The inventionencompasses the direct submission of such documents to a user's personallegacy storage mailbox, from which it can be transferred by the user tohis or her personal legacy storage space. To this end the invention ispreferably able to handle and interpret data submitted in a variety offormats such as HTML, XML, OFX, QIF, and custom formats.

[0180] As mentioned above, the invention envisions submission of some ofthe documents by uploading scanned images. In preferred embodiments ofthe invention documents can also be faxed electronically. In preferredembodiments of the invention certain documents (e.g., wills, medicalrecords and certain others that are likely to be provided as scanned orfaxed optical images) are maintained in a “read only” state in whichthey cannot be changed or modified. In order to revise such documents anew, more recently dated version may be submitted.

[0181] During the information entry process described above, inpreferred embodiments of the invention the user is offered the choice ofentering information directly into forms or of uploading documents thatcontain the indicated information. As indicated above, the systemrequests the location of many documents that contain informationrelevant to the estate plan. In the case in which a document isuploaded, the user has the option of specifying that the document hasbeen uploaded to the Web server rather than specifying the location of ahard copy version of the document. In certain preferred embodiments ofthe invention an electronic log of user interaction with the Web site ismaintained, and the time and date of submission of information is storedin addition to the information itself. Thus the functioning of thepersonal storage space parallels that of a traditional safety depositbox in which a record of entries to the safety deposit box is kept.

[0182] VII. User Database

[0183] In certain embodiments of the invention information submitted byusers is stored in one or more databases, which may be implemented in avariety of ways. For example, some of the data may be stored in arelational database referred to as the personal legacy informationdatabase, containing multiple data tables. In certain embodiments of theinvention the database uses Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL allowsusers to define, access, and manipulate data in a wide range ofrelational database management systems, such as Oracle, Sybase,Informix, Microsoft Access, and others. It should be understood that thedata may be stored in separate databases, including databases accessibleover a data communications network, and that other types of databases(e.g., object-oriented databases) could be used in the invention.However, for purposes of description it will be assumed that the dataare stored in a relational database in multiple tables.

[0184] Thus in certain embodiments of the invention the personal legacyinformation database is an SQL database consisting of a set of tables,each of which consists of multiple records containing fields in whichdata is stored. One field in each record (or a combination of fields)constitutes a key, i.e., an item (or items) of data that uniquelyidentifies that record. (Note that the term “key” is used here in adifferent sense to a private or public key for encryption/decryptionpurposes.) A suitable key is a user's social security number. The tablesmay include, but are not limited to: a basic personal information table,a legal records table, a financial records table, a tax records table,an insurance policy table, a health/medical records table, an employmenthistory table, a security items table, a certificate/other recordstable, and a personal items table. Of course any convenient selection oftables and any approach to organization of the informational items iswithin the scope of the invention. The fields in each table correspondto information items. For example, the basic personal information tablemay contain fields such as: name, address, telephone number, socialsecurity number, etc. In preferred embodiments of the invention thetables will also contain standard fields such as creation time stamp,update time stamp, archive time stamp, and various status flags. In thecase of documents that are uploaded by the user and stored by theinventive system, instead of containing the documents themselves thetables preferably contain information that allows the stored documentsto be identified and accessed (e.g., an address location, storagelocation, etc.).

[0185] VIII. Providing Feedback to the User

[0186] While the contents and complexity of an estate plan may varydepending upon the estate, one of the goals of the present invention isto ensure that the estate plan includes at least a minimum of essentialinformation. This goal may be achieved, in part, by explicitlyrequesting the submission of certain information as described above. Incertain preferred embodiments of the invention as the user completesvarious information requests the system provides feedback to the user.Such feedback may be positive, e.g., a message congratulating the useron successfully entering requested information. In addition, the systemcan notify the user of omissions and identify those areas in which theuser has not yet submitted sufficient information.

[0187] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention the user isnotified (e.g., by email) upon the occurrence of events that mayindicate that it is desirable to revise the personal legacy plan. Suchnotification can take place according to a predetermined schedule, e.g.,annually. Notification can also occur upon changes in laws (e.g., taxlaws, inheritance laws, etc.) that may have an impact on the user'sdecisions regarding the disposition of his or her estate. Notificationcan also occur upon significant changes in the personal legacy planitself. For example, if a user purchases a home and submits a title deedto his or her personal legacy storage space, the system may notify theuser that his or her will should be updated.

[0188] IX. Trusted Entity, Trusted Individual(s) and Access by TrustedIndividual(s)

[0189] It is envisioned that in certain embodiments the invention willbe offered as a service by an organization such as a bank or otherfinancial institution, law firm, or the like. In these embodiments theinvention may be offered as an option that a user can access through theWeb site of the organization rather than, or in addition to, through a“stand-alone” Web site. In certain embodiments of the inventive systemthe user can designate one or more trusted individuals (e.g., anexecutor or next-of-kin) who is granted access to the personal legacystorage space under certain circumstances predetermined by the user. Theuser may be asked to enter the name, address, and phone number of thetrusted individual during the process of entering personal legacyplanning information. (See item A.4 in the list of information itemspresented above.) In addition, the user may be requested to enter thecondition(s) under which the trusted individual is to be granted access(typically the death or incapacitation of the user). If such conditionpredetermined by the user occurs, the trusted individual identifieshimself or herself to the organization and is granted access to theuser's personal legacy storage space. Alternatively, the organizationmay contact the trusted individual. Since, in certain embodiments of theinvention the user's personal legacy information is stored in encryptedform, such access will require decryption of the information. To thisend, the trusted individual is in possession of the key (e.g., a privatekey) required to decrypt the user's personal legacy information. Theorganization provides the key to the trusted individual so that theinformation can be decrypted. In certain embodiments of the inventionthe organization verifies both that the circumstance (e.g., the death orincapacitation of the user) has occurred and also verifies the identityof the trusted individual (e.g., that the individual is truly the personso designated by the user). The trusted individual's identity may beverified in any of a variety of ways or combinations of ways. Forexample, the trusted individual may be required to present photo ID, apassword, a biometric token, etc. While it is envisioned that in mostinstances the trusted individual designated by the user will be a persondistinct from the sponsoring entity, in certain embodiments of theinvention the sponsoring entity may possess the key used for decryption.

[0190] X. Security

[0191] The challenges of ensuring the security of informationtransmitted over a computer network such as the Internet and of ensuringthe security of information stored on a computer or on a peripheralstorage device are receiving increasing attention. With the growth ofe-commerce and the storage of increasing amounts of personal informationon computers has come a host of commercial products aimed at addressingthis need. Given the sensitive nature of many of the documentsassociated with personal legacy planning, security forms an importantcomponent of the inventive system. An ideal computer and networksecurity system should address the following six general areas:

[0192] (1) Confidentiality: Ensuring that information stored on and/ortransmitted to a computer system are accessible only to authorizedparties. Access includes printing, displaying, etc., as well as merelyrevealing the existence of the information.

[0193] (2) Authentication: Ensures that the origin or an electronicdocument or message is correctly identified and that the identity is notfalse.

[0194] (3) Integrity: Ensures that only authorized parties are able tomodify (e.g., write, change, change status of, delete, create, delay, orreplay) any transmitted messages or information.

[0195] (4) Nonrepudiation: Requires that neither the sender nor thereceiver of a message be able to deny the transmission.

[0196] (5) Access control: Requires that access to information resources(e.g., lists of passwords) is controlled by the system

[0197] (6) Availability: Requires that information stored on thecomputer system be available to authorized parties when needed.

[0198] Computer and network security issues and approaches are discussedin Stallings, W., Cryptography and Network Security: Principles andPractice, Second Edition, Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, 1999, thecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Furtherinformation on specific aspects of computer security, includingconsiderations particularly relevant to the Internet may be found inMaximum Security: A Hacker's Guide to Protecting Your Internet Site andNetwork, Second Edition, Macmillan, Inc., Indianapolis, 1998, thecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

[0199] In preferred embodiments of the invention the Web site maintainsappropriate security precautions that comply with prevailing standardsfor secure transmission of secret information (e.g., credit cardnumbers) over the Internet. In particular, in preferred embodiments theinventive system allows the user to select a secure transmission optionin which a transmitted document is encrypted before transmission. Inaddition, identifying information such as passwords, personalidentification numbers, etc. are encrypted in preferred embodiments ofthe invention. Encryption can be performed using any of a variety oftechniques well known in the art. Conventional (i.e., symmetric)encryption can be used such as that embodied by the Data EncryptionStandard (DES), adopted by the National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST). Public key (i.e., asymmetric) encryption can also beused. For example, in certain embodiments of the invention informationto be transmitted to the user's personal storage space is encryptedusing the user's public key. Encryption with the user's public keyallows both the user and contributors to securely submit documents andinformation relevant to that particular user. The information anddocuments can only be decrypted by an individual (e.g., the user) havingaccess to the user's private key. Upon the occurrence of eventsspecified by the user, e.g., the death or incapacitation of the user,the private key can be provided to one or more individuals preselectedby the user. In certain embodiments of the invention, security isprovided by a commercial provider such as RSA Security Inc.(http://www.rsa.com), 20 Crosby Drive, Bedford, Mass. 01730; Tel:877-RSA-4900 or 781-301-5000. In certain embodiments of the invention auser is provided with an RSA secure ID token (which may be embossed withthe sponsor's name and which may be conveniently stored on a key chain).The RSA token provides a new six-digit number every two minutes. When auser logs in to the Web site of the invention, the user undergoestwo-factor identification. The user must provide something he or sheknows (his/her password) and something that only he or she has (thenumber that is currently presented on the token). Such a token not onlyprovides two-factor authentication, but also serves as the user'stangible key providing assurance of privacy and confidentiality.

[0200] In certain embodiments, the invention uses the state-of-the-art,industry-standard SSL (Secure Socket Layers) protocol to shieldinformation during transmission. In addition, in preferred embodimentsthe invention only supports browsers that can use SSL encryption. Othercommercially available technology such as that available throughVerisign®, Mountain View, Calif. 94043 can be used in conjunction withthe invention. Methods for electronic transmission, storage, andretrieval of authenticated documents are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,748,738 issued May 5, 1998. Methods by which a sender can verify thata receiver has received a document containing particular content(non-repudiation) are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,669, issued Aug.4, 1998. The contents of the two preceding patents are incorporatedherein by reference.

[0201] As mentioned above, in addition to encrypting the informationduring transmission to the Web site, in preferred embodiments of theinvention the information is stored in an encrypted form. Additionalsecurity measures at the Web site include use of a firewall to preventunauthorized access. In general, any commercially available firewall canbe used. Physical access to the Web server and to any peripheral storagedevices associated therewith is preferably restricted to trustedindividuals. While challenging, the issues of secure transmission andstorage of personal information are presently effectively addressed by avariety of approaches well known in the art.

[0202] XI. Organization, Integration, and Online Collaboration

[0203] A major feature of certain preferred embodiments of the inventionis the capacity to organize and integrate information of diverse typesand obtained from a diverse array of sources. For example, in thepreferred embodiments of the invention in which the information anddocuments are organized as folders (FIG. 3), The invention is able, forexample, to recognize when an item of information entered under onefolder heading is also relevant to the contents of one or more of theother folders. For example, an individual's residential address in thePersonal Folder may also be a real estate asset that may also be asecured liability in the Financial Folder with homeowners' insurance(Insurance Folder) and legal title (Legal Folder). The software of theinvention integrates such information so that it is readily availableacross all folders. Thus in preferred embodiments of the invention, anyinformation or document that is initially entered under a particularcategory in one of the folders is available in an appropriate categoryin one or more of the other folders.

[0204] In certain embodiments of the invention the design of the Website and the types of resources and information available through theWeb site reflect transitions of people's lives (e.g., marriage, birth ofa child, career change, death of parent, death of spouse, etc.). Eachlife event involving a major change in a person's life may contain “mapsof the territory”, guides and resources as well as checklists. Maps ofthe territory may include a list of questions that a person mightcommonly ask when a given life event occurs, and answers to thesequestions. Guides and resources may include recommendations of books ororganizations that may be useful in helping the person understand and/orcope with the life event. Checklists may offer suggestions forappropriate actions a person might take when a particular life eventoccurs.

[0205] In addition, in certain embodiments of the invention the softwareoperates in conjunction with any of a variety of on-screen aggregators(e.g., Yodlee.com), thus enabling the aggregation of personalinformation entered in numerous formats and from numerous sources.Information from dynamically changing sources such as financialaccounts, etc., can therefore be seamlessly integrated into the personallegacy planner and storage space. In this regard it is noted that anever-increasing number of institutions such as banks, credit cardcompanies, etc., are providing users with access to their accountson-line. In certain embodiments of the invention such information isintegrated with the user's universal organizer.

[0206] In certain embodiments of the invention the Web site offers aforum for online collaboration between, for example, the user andhis/her family members, professional advisors, etc. Any appropriatetechnology for online collaboration may be used.

[0207] XII. Examples of a Representative Embodiment

[0208] FIGS. 8-11 depict display screens that may be used in anexemplary implementation of the invention and provide a morecomprehensive understanding of certain features of the invention. It isto be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting inany way.

[0209]FIG. 8 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) that guidesa user through the establishment of a personal legacy database, i.e., anelectronic vault. The Web page gathers a small amount of personalinformation and requests that the user enter a password. In addition,the introductory Web page asks the user to select a trusted individualwho will be empowered to access the information in the electronic vaultupon the occurrence of a designated condition. The Web page also asksthe user to select the predetermined condition.

[0210]FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) thatprovides a full view of items that may be found in a user's personalfolder and guides a user through the submission of such items. Thedisplay screen provides lists of personal items in various categoriesand checkboxes in which a user may indicate that he or she intends tosubmit the checked items. The Web page also includes links to otherportions of the individual's e-vault and also to relevant features suchas an online address book, calendar, notes, etc.

[0211]FIG. 10 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) thatprovides a full view of items that may be found in a user's legal folderand guides the user through submission of such items. The display screenprovides lists of items in various categories related to an individual'ssituation with respect to legal matters and checkboxes in which a usermay indicate that he or she intends to submit the checked items. The Webpage also includes links to other portions of the individual's e-vaultand also to relevant features as described above.

[0212]FIG. 11 shows an example of a display screen (Web page) that helpsa user understand and cope with the transitions associated with a lifeevent (death of a spouse). The Web page includes a “map of theterritory”, inspirational messages, resources (and appropriate links toWeb resources), book recommendations, and checklists. The Web page alsoincludes links to Web pages addressing other life events, etc.

[0213] The remainder of this section presents the architecture of thevarious folders and their integration in one embodiment of the inventionin greater detail. As indicated below, the folders preferably containinformation organized in a hierarchical fashion, and the softwareincludes the capability to generate a variety of useful summaries basedon the information contained in the folders. Certain information isindexed across folders. For example, the Personal Representatives andAdvisors-Key Professionals sections under the Personal Folder, alsoappear in the Medical Folder, Financial Folder, and Legal Folder (andsubfolders thereof) in their appropriate positions. It is to beunderstood that any particular implementation of the invention need notcontain all the items indicated below and may contain additional items.This section also lists categories of relevant information and types ofdocuments that may be found in each category.

[0214] Universal Integrated Organizer and Legacy Planner Architecture

[0215] Personal Folder

[0216] Personal Information

[0217] Family information and records

[0218] Personal Representatives

[0219] Advisors Key Professionals (cross indexed across folders)

[0220] Security

[0221] Personal Archives (anything you wish to save and store)

[0222] Last Wishes (funeral arrangements and organ donations)

[0223] Medical Folder

[0224] Medical professionals and providers

[0225] Summary Health at a glance

[0226] Personal Health History

[0227] Copies of your original medical records

[0228] Your personal screening and exam schedule

[0229] Copies of Health Proxy and Living Will

[0230] Financial Folder

[0231] Financial Advisors

[0232] Assets

[0233] Retirement Assets

[0234] Real Estate

[0235] Personal Property Schedule

[0236] Additional Assets

[0237] Liabilities

[0238] Legal Folder

[0239] Legal Advisors/Representatives

[0240] Estate Plan

[0241] Real Estate Records

[0242] Business Records

[0243] Employment Records

[0244] Other Legal Records

[0245] Tax Folder

[0246] Accountant/Tax Advisor

[0247] Tax records

[0248] Insurance Folder

[0249] Insurance Brokers and Agents

[0250] Life Insurance Policies

[0251] Health Insurance Policies

[0252] Property and Auto Insurance Policies

[0253] Financial Insurance Policies

[0254] Professional and Business Policies

[0255] Summaries available with the Universal Integrated Organizer

[0256] Address book

[0257] Family

[0258] Personal Representatives

[0259] Medical

[0260] Legal

[0261] Financial

[0262] Beneficiary Designations

[0263] in will

[0264] retirement assets

[0265] insurance policies

[0266] Estate Plan

[0267] will

[0268] durable power of attorney

[0269] trust

[0270] health care proxy and living will

[0271] estate tax calculator

[0272] organ donation

[0273] letter to executor

[0274] Personal Representatives

[0275] executor(s) Named in will, address; successor executor

[0276] holder of Durable Power of Attorney

[0277] holder of Health Care Proxy

[0278] guardian(s) named in will

[0279] trustees named in will

[0280] revocable trust, trustees

[0281] trustees of any other trusts

[0282] Summary Health at a glance

[0283] allergies/reactions

[0284] medical conditions /problems

[0285] current medications, vitamins and supplements

[0286] blood type

[0287] significant family medical conditions

[0288] primary-care provider/family doctor

[0289] health insurance

[0290] emergency contact

[0291] health care proxy

[0292] Insurance policies

[0293] linked to assets protected

[0294] with anniversary dates

[0295] annual cost

[0296] agent contact

[0297] Assets

[0298] jointly held, sole owner, in trust

[0299] net worth

[0300] Universal Integrated Organizer Address Book

[0301] Family

[0302] parents

[0303] spouse

[0304] children

[0305] siblings

[0306] aunts and uncles

[0307] Personal representatives

[0308] named executor

[0309] durable power of attorney

[0310] health care proxy

[0311] guardians of minor children and other dependents

[0312] trustee under will

[0313] other

[0314] Medical professionals and providers

[0315] primary care provider

[0316] gynecologist

[0317] specialists

[0318] dentist

[0319] complimentary care providers

[0320] hospitals

[0321] lifeline

[0322] health insurance company

[0323] Legal

[0324] attorney business

[0325] attorney estate

[0326] attorney real estate

[0327] other

[0328] Financial

[0329] accountant

[0330] financial planner

[0331] bank officer

[0332] investment advisor

[0333] stockbroker

[0334] life insurance agent

[0335] property and casualty agent

[0336] other

[0337] Personal Folder

[0338] Personal Information

[0339] Family information and records

[0340] Personal Representatives

[0341] Advisors Key Professionals (cross indexed across folders)

[0342] Security

[0343] Personal Archives (anything you wish to save and store)

[0344] Last Wishes (funeral arrangements and organ donations)

[0345] Personal Information

[0346] name

[0347] citizenship

[0348] birth date and birthplace

[0349] social security number

[0350] Home

[0351] address

[0352] home telephone

[0353] home email:

[0354] is this your legal residence?

[0355] where you vote

[0356] where you are licensed to drive? license number

[0357] where your car is registered? registration number, renewal date

[0358] other residence(s) address(es)

[0359] Occupation

[0360] workplace

[0361] name of company

[0362] length of employment

[0363] work address

[0364] work phone

[0365] work email

[0366] The symbol ^ (shift 6) indicates that the document has beenscanned up and stored

[0367] Your personal records

[0368] driver's license

[0369] passport

[0370] birth certificate

[0371] marriage certificate

[0372] citizenship records

[0373] military service and discharge records; military serial number

[0374] veterans' administration claim number

[0375] federal separation from service

[0376] diplomas

[0377] professional certificates

[0378] adoption papers

[0379] divorce decrees

[0380] death certificates for relatives

[0381] title to automobile

[0382] title to cemetery lot

[0383] Family information and Records

[0384] Your marital status

[0385] if married

[0386] spouse's name

[0387] birth date and birthplace

[0388] citizenship

[0389] does your spouse have a will in a foreign country?

[0390] social security number

[0391] date of marriage: marriage certificate

[0392] are there any pre or postmarital agreements?

[0393] children of this marriage

[0394] Spouse's

[0395] occupation

[0396] workplace

[0397] name

[0398] length of employment______

[0399] work Address

[0400] work phone

[0401] work email

[0402] If widowed

[0403] spouse's name

[0404] birth date and birthplace

[0405] date of marriage: marriage certificate

[0406] death certificate and cause of death

[0407] children of this marriage

[0408] If divorced or separated

[0409] spouse's name

[0410] birth date and birthplace

[0411] date of marriage: marriage certificate

[0412] children of this marriage

[0413] date of divorce or separation: divorce decree and/or separationagreement

[0414] alimony payments______ child Support______

[0415] any other obligations under divorce decree and/or separationagreement?

[0416] is your estate obligated to continue payments?

[0417] any other prior spouse (s)?name(s) of prior spouses.

[0418] widowed

[0419] divorced

[0420] obligations under divorce decree

[0421] Your parents

[0422] Father's name

[0423] birth date and birthplace. birth certificate

[0424] if deceased, date of death and cause of death: death certificate

[0425] address and phone

[0426] retired Y/N

[0427] social security number

[0428] Mother's name

[0429] birth date and birthplace. birth certificate

[0430] if deceased, date of death and cause of death: death certificate

[0431] address and phone

[0432] retired Y/N

[0433] social security number

[0434] Your children

[0435] Child's name

[0436] date and place of birth: birth certificate

[0437] if dependent currently,

[0438] health condition special needs

[0439] college accounts? with whom, account number

[0440] UGMA account? with whom, account number

[0441] child's assets as of

[0442] if independent

[0443] address, phone, email

[0444] occupation

[0445] spouse's name

[0446] grandchildren's names

[0447] child's name

[0448] date and place of birth: birth certificate

[0449] if dependent currently,

[0450] health condition special needs

[0451] college accounts? with whom, account number

[0452] UGMA account? with whom, account number

[0453] child's assets as of

[0454] if independent

[0455] address, phone, email

[0456] occupation

[0457] spouse's name

[0458] grandchildren's names

[0459] Have you named a guardian in a will?

[0460] if yes, name and address

[0461] Other legal dependents

[0462] dependent's name

[0463] relationship

[0464] date of birth/birth certificate

[0465] health condition

[0466] remarks

[0467] Other family members

[0468] Siblings

[0469] Name

[0470] Address

[0471] Telephone

[0472] email

[0473] Date of birth

[0474] name of spouse, date of birth

[0475] children

[0476] repeated as often as needed

[0477] Other relatives

[0478] Family tree

[0479] Family History

[0480] Personal Representatives

[0481] Executor(s) Named in will, address; successor executor

[0482] Holder of Durable Power of Attorney

[0483] Holder of Health Care Proxy

[0484] Guardian(s) named in will

[0485] Trustees named in will

[0486] Revocable trust, trustees

[0487] Trustees of any other trusts

[0488] Security

[0489] Computer Files

[0490] Passwords and special instructions

[0491] Security PIN numbers

[0492] bank

[0493] home security system

[0494] credit card

[0495] combination lock numbers

[0496] safe deposit box

[0497] bank, owner, location of key

[0498] Keys

[0499] car, home, safe deposit, file, other

[0500] Confidential Files

[0501] instructions regarding disposition of diaries, journals, etc

[0502] Post Office Box

[0503] location, key

[0504] Last wishes

[0505] Funeral

[0506] prepaid burial expenses, contract with whom

[0507] letter of instruction for memorial services

[0508] Organ donations

[0509] arrangements for on drivers license, with organ bank

[0510] link to The Living Bank, the national organ and tissue donorregistry and information service.

[0511] link to Statement Regarding Anatomical Gifts, prepared by ABA

[0512] Medical Folder

[0513] Medical professionals and providers

[0514] primary care provider

[0515] gynecologist

[0516] specialists

[0517] dentist

[0518] complimentary care providers

[0519] hospitals

[0520] lifeline

[0521] Summary Health at a glance

[0522] allergies/reactions

[0523] medical conditions /problems

[0524] current medications, vitamins and supplements

[0525] blood type

[0526] significant family medical conditions

[0527] primary-care provider/family doctor

[0528] health insurance

[0529] emergency contact

[0530] health care proxy

[0531] Personal Health History

[0532] illness, surgery, hospitalizataion, chronic medical conditions,

[0533] family medical history tree and important medical informationabout other

[0534] relatives

[0535] medications, vitamins, supplements and herbs log

[0536] Copies of your original medical records

[0537] doctors consultation reports

[0538] hospital discharge summaries

[0539] eye/vision

[0540] dental

[0541] complimentary care

[0542] copies of laboratory reports

[0543] copies of X-rays

[0544] heart testing

[0545] screening and diagnostic procedures

[0546] Your personal screening and exam schedule

[0547] Copy of Health Proxy and Living Will

[0548] Financial Folder

[0549] Financial Advisors

[0550] Investment Advisor

[0551] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0552] Stock Broker

[0553] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0554] Bank Officer

[0555] name, bank, address, phone, email, comments

[0556] Financial Planner

[0557] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0558] Accountant

[0559] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0560] Other

[0561] Assets

[0562] Cash and Equivalents

[0563] Checking accounts

[0564] bank, account #, owner

[0565] Savings account

[0566] bank, account #, owner

[0567] Money market account

[0568] bank, account #, owner

[0569] Certificates of Deposit

[0570] bank, amount, owner, interest rate, length of term, maturity date

[0571] Stocks (possible to be imported from Quicken et al)

[0572] name, number of shares, owner, location,

[0573] date acquired, cost basis per share

[0574] S corporation stock

[0575] Mutual Funds (possible to be imported from Quicken et al)

[0576] name, number of shares, owner, location,

[0577] date acquired, cost basis per share

[0578] Stock options

[0579] name, number of shares, owner, location,

[0580] date granted, exercise date, option price/share

[0581] Bonds, US Treasury Debt

[0582] owner, location

[0583] cost, date acquired, face amount, maturity date

[0584] Limited Partnerships

[0585] name, owner, type, location

[0586] date of purchase, investment to date

[0587] Accounts/Notes Receivable

[0588] owner, debtor, location, original amount, maturity date,

[0589] interest rate, principal outstanding

[0590] comments

[0591] Investment accounts / Online accounts

[0592] owner, institution, account number, location, password

[0593] Retirement Assets

[0594] Pension

[0595] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0596] beneficiary

[0597] before-tax employee contribution, after tax employeecontribution,

[0598] employer contribution, expected rate of return, % vested, %unvested

[0599] Profit-sharing

[0600] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0601] beneficiary

[0602] before-tax employee contribution, after tax employeecontribution,

[0603] employer contribution, expected rate of return, % vested, %unvested

[0604] Keough

[0605] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0606] beneficiary

[0607] before-tax employee contribution, after tax employeecontribution,

[0608] employer contribution, expected rate of return, % vested, %unvested

[0609] 401(k)

[0610] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0611] beneficiary

[0612] before-tax employee contribution, after tax employeecontribution,

[0613] employer contribution, expected rate of return, % vested, %unvested

[0614] Other SEP, SERP

[0615] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0616] beneficiary

[0617] before-tax employee contribution, after tax employeecontribution,

[0618] employer contribution, expected rate of return, % vested, %unvested

[0619] IRAs

[0620] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0621] beneficiary(s)

[0622] Roth IRAs

[0623] type of investment, institution, owner,

[0624] beneficiary(s)

[0625] Real Estate

[0626] Primary Residence

[0627] address, owner, location of deed

[0628] date of purchase, cost of improvements, fair market value

[0629] annual costs: real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance

[0630] Vacation Home

[0631] address, owner, location of deed

[0632] date of purchase, cost of improvements, fair market value

[0633] annual costs: real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance

[0634] Investment Property

[0635] address, owner, location of deed

[0636] date of purchase, cost of improvements, fair market value

[0637] annual costs: real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance

[0638] annual income, annual depreciation

[0639] Personal Property Schedule

[0640] jewelry, antiques, collectibles

[0641] description, owner, location

[0642] estimated value

[0643] household furnishings

[0644] automobiles, boats, planes

[0645] year, make, model, location of title

[0646] value

[0647] collections and hobby equipment

[0648] description, owner, location

[0649] estimated value

[0650] Additional Assets

[0651] annuities

[0652] institution, owner, date acquired, location

[0653] original investment, fair market value, maturity/exercise date

[0654] futures

[0655] owner, date acquired, location

[0656] original investment, fair market value, maturity/exercise date

[0657] warrants

[0658] owner, date acquired, location

[0659] original investment, fair market value, maturity/exercise date

[0660] hard assets

[0661] owner, date acquired, location

[0662] original investment, fair market value.

[0663] copyrights/patents

[0664] owner, date acquired, location

[0665] original investment, fair market value.

[0666] Liabilities

[0667] Secured

[0668] Mortgages

[0669] Bank/Company, on what property,

[0670] interest rate, amount outstanding

[0671] Auto Loans

[0672] Bank/Company, on what,

[0673] interest rate, amount outstanding

[0674] Margin Accounts

[0675] Bank/Company, on what,

[0676] interest rate, amount outstanding

[0677] Unsecured

[0678] Personal Notes

[0679] creditor, debtor, location

[0680] date originated, original amount,

[0681] interest rate, amount and frequency of payment

[0682] Bank Notes

[0683] creditor, debtor, location

[0684] date originated, original amount,

[0685] interest rate, amount and frequency of payment

[0686] Contingent (guarantees)

[0687] creditor, debtor, location

[0688] date originated, original amount,

[0689] interest rate, amount and frequency of payment

[0690] Credit cards

[0691] creditor, debtor, location

[0692] date originated, original amount,

[0693] interest rate, amount and frequency of payment

[0694] Taxes due

[0695] creditor, debtor, location

[0696] date originated, original amount,

[0697] interest rate, amount and frequency of payment

[0698] Other

[0699] Legal Folder

[0700] Legal Advisors/Representatives

[0701] Attorney, Business

[0702] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0703] Attorney, Estate

[0704] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0705] Attorney, Real Estate

[0706] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0707] Attorney, Other

[0708] Accountant

[0709] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0710] Estate Plan

[0711] Will, date of last will, location of original

[0712] Letter or other instructions to executor

[0713] Durable Power of Attorney, location

[0714] Health Care Proxy and Living Will, location

[0715] Trusts date established, location of original

[0716] Personal Representatives

[0717] named executor

[0718] durable power of attorney

[0719] health care proxy

[0720] guardians of minor children and other dependents

[0721] trustee under will

[0722] trustee of grantor trust

[0723] other

[0724] Real Estate Records

[0725] 1. primary residence

[0726] title holder

[0727] mortgage outstanding; title deed, location

[0728] 2. vacation home

[0729] title holder

[0730] mortgage outstanding; title deed, location

[0731] 3. other property (investment)

[0732] title holder

[0733] mortgage outstanding; title deed, location

[0734] Business Records

[0735] business agreement

[0736] partnership agreement

[0737] buy-sell agreement

[0738] Employment Records

[0739] current employer

[0740] resume

[0741] employment agreements

[0742] Other Legal Records

[0743] separation agreements

[0744] nuptial agreement, location

[0745] divorce decree

[0746] custody agreements

[0747] Tax records

[0748] Accountant/Tax Advisor

[0749] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0750] income tax returns stored

[0751] gift tax returns stored

[0752] summary gift taxes paid

[0753] other

[0754] Insurance Records

[0755] Insurance Brokers and Agents

[0756] Life Insurance Agent

[0757] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0758] Property and Casualty Agent

[0759] name, firm, address, phone, email, comments

[0760] Other

[0761] Life Insurance Policies

[0762] Life Insurance

[0763] company, policy #, face amount, loans against, anniversary

[0764] date, annual premium

[0765] Other (provided by employer or group)

[0766] Health Insurance Policies

[0767] Medical

[0768] company, policy #, location anniversary date, annual premium

[0769] Supplemental Medical

[0770] Vision/Dental

[0771] Disability

[0772] Long term care

[0773] Medicare

[0774] Medicare supplement

[0775] Property and Auto Insurance Policies

[0776] Property insurance/Homeowners

[0777] company, policy #, location, anniversary date, annual premiumriders

[0778] Auto insurance

[0779] company, policy #, location, anniversary date, annual premium

[0780] Other

[0781] Financial Insurance Policies

[0782] Mortgage or Loan insurance

[0783] company, policy #, location, anniversary date, annual premium

[0784] Credit card insurance

[0785] Umbrella Liability coverage

[0786] company, policy #, location, anniversary date, annual premium

[0787] Professional and Business Policies

[0788] Type

[0789] company, policy #, location, anniversary date, annual premium

[0790] While the invention has been presented with reference to certainpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the description aboveis not intending to be limiting, and a number of variations will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such variations areincluded within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for providing a user with assistance for personallegacy planning and personal information organizing comprising the stepsof: transmitting, over a computer network, requests for or lists ofinformational items and documents appropriate for inclusion in apersonal legacy plan; receiving, over the computer network,informational items and documents appropriate for inclusion in apersonal legacy plan; and storing the informational items and documentsin a personal storage space assigned to the user on a secure server,wherein access to the informational items is restricted to the user orto a trusted individual designated by the user upon the occurrence of acondition predetermined by the user.
 2. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding the step of: organizing the informational items and documents.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the informational items and documentsare organized into folders including one or more of: a personal folder,a legal folder, a medical folder, and a financial folder.
 4. The methodof claim 3, further including the step of: integrating the informationalitems and documents across folders, so that information initiallyentered under a category in one of the folders is available in anappropriate category in one or more of the other folders.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the informational items and documents include awill.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the informational items anddocuments include a trust.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theinformational items and documents include a deed.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the receiving step comprises: receiving a scanned document.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting step and thereceiving step occur securely.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thereceiving step comprises receiving informational items or documents thathave been encrypted prior to transmission.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the transmitting step is includes transmitting a Web page. 12.The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step includes receiving theinformational items and documents at a Web site.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein one or more of the receiving step and the transmitting steptakes place via the Internet.
 14. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of providing a forum for secure, onlinecollaboration between a user and other individuals.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the storing step comprises storing the informationalitems and documents in an encrypted format.
 16. The method of claim 1,further comprising providing one or more Web pages that includeinformation addressing a transition associated with a life event. 17.The method of claim 1, further including the step of: providing anelectronic mailbox for the user; receiving, in the electronic mailbox,an informational item or document from a third party, wherein theinformational item or document is appropriate for inclusion in theuser's personal information storage space.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the informational item or document is selected from the listconsisting of: a medical record, a financial record, a tax return, anaccount statement, an insurance policy, and a stock certificate.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further including the step of: notifying the user ofthe arrival of an informational item or document in the electronicmailbox.
 20. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:storing information identifying a trusted individual designated by theuser; and storing information identifying a condition predetermined bythe user.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the condition is the deathof the user.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the condition is theincapacitation of the user.
 23. A method of providing limited access toa user's personal legacy information, wherein, information identifying atrusted individual designated by the user has been stored, and whereininformation identifying a condition predetermined by the user has beenstored comprising: identifying the trusted individual; and providing thetrusted individual with access to the stored informational items uponthe occurrence of the condition.
 24. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising the step of: verifying the identity of the trustedindividual.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the providing stepcomprises decrypting the stored informational items and documents. 26.The method of claim 23, wherein the providing step comprises providing acryptographic key to the trusted individual.
 27. A method for personallegacy planning comprising the steps of: storing informational items anddocuments appropriate for inclusion in a personal legacy plan on asecure server, wherein access to the informational items is restrictedto the user; storing information identifying a trusted individualdesignated by the user; and storing information identifying a conditionpredetermined by the user.
 28. The method of claim 27, further includingthe step of: organizing the informational items and documents.
 29. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the items are organized into foldersincluding a personal folder, a legal folder, a medical folder, and afinancial folder.
 30. The method of claim 29, further including the stepof: integrating the information across folders, so that informationinitially entered under a category in one of the folders is available inan appropriate category in one or more of the other folders.
 31. Themethod of claim 27, further comprising: providing the trusted individualwith access to the stored informational items upon the occurrence of thecondition.
 32. A system for providing a user with assistance forpersonal legacy planning comprising: a Web site comprising a set of Webpages that allow a user to enter or submit informational itemsappropriate for inclusion in a personal legacy plan securely; a securestorage space to store some or all of the informational items submittedby the user, the storage space comprising a computer-readable medium;and means for providing access to the stored items to the user and atrusted individual designated by the individual.
 33. A method forproviding a user with assistance for personal legacy planning comprisingthe steps of: receiving a plurality of encrypted informational items ordocuments suitable for personal legacy planning over a computer network;storing the documents on a computer-readable medium, wherein thedocuments are accessible only to the user or to a trusted individualdesignated by the user upon the occurrence of a condition predeterminedby the user.
 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the stepsof: storing information from the user identifying a trusted individual;storing information from the user identifying a condition predeterminedby the user; and providing access to the informational items anddocuments to the trusted individual upon the occurrence of thecondition.
 35. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of:prompting the user to transmit a document.
 36. The method of claim 33,further comprising the step of: notifying the user that a document of atype included on a predetermined list of suggested documents should betransmitted.
 37. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of:notifying the user that a document of each type included on apredetermined list of suggested documents has been received.
 38. Themethod of claim 33, wherein the receiving step comprises receivingencrypted documents.
 39. The method of claim 33, wherein the storingstep comprises storing encrypted documents.
 40. The method of claim 33,further comprising the step of: providing access to the stored documentsto the user upon provision of appropriate identifying information. 41.The method of claim 40, wherein the identifying information comprises apassword.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein the identifyinginformation comprises a personal identification number.
 43. The methodof claim 41, wherein the identifying information comprises a biometrictoken.
 44. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of:providing access to the stored documents to a trusted individualdesignated by the user following the occurrence of a conditionpredetermined by the user upon provision of appropriate identifyinginformation by the trusted individual.
 45. The method of claim 44,wherein the trusted entity is a financial intermediary.
 46. The methodof claim 44, wherein the identifying information comprises a password.47. The method of claim 44, wherein the identifying informationcomprises a personal identification number.
 48. The method of claim 44,wherein the identifying information comprises a photo ID.
 49. The methodof claim 44, wherein the identifying information comprises a biometrictoken.
 50. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of:notifying the user of a need to update the documents.
 51. The method ofclaim 50, wherein the notifying step comprises: sending an e-mail to theuser.
 52. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of:notifying the user of a change in a law affecting estate planning.